GIMP 2.8: Setting the colour of a layer

Hi,
I have a small black and white png file. The main image is predominantly black with detail elements in white (background is white). I am trying to do something very simple but which is failing because I am now...

That is, I want to change the the white details within the body of the image to different colours to denote different states. I'm trying to do this by creating a new, smaller layer that that will site behind the main layer to colour that part of the image I want to change. I'm doing this by setting the foreground colour in the "Change foreground colour" tool and then creating a new layer, choosing a fill type of "foreground colour".

This appears to have no effect - the new layer is black. And anything I do to try to colour in the layer has no effect. Clearly, there's something basic but vitally important I'm doing wrong here. Can someone help?

(May 30, 2014 07:05)davinci Wrote: Hi,
I have a small black and white png file. The main image is predominantly black with detail elements in white (background is white). I am trying to do something very simple but which is failing because I am now...

That is, I want to change the the white details within the body of the image to different colours to denote different states. I'm trying to do this by creating a new, smaller layer that that will site behind the main layer to colour that part of the image I want to change. I'm doing this by setting the foreground colour in the "Change foreground colour" tool and then creating a new layer, choosing a fill type of "foreground colour".

This appears to have no effect - the new layer is black. And anything I do to try to colour in the layer has no effect. Clearly, there's something basic but vitally important I'm doing wrong here. Can someone help?

Regards,
David

Sounds like you have the wrong layer above the other...
In the Layer dialog at the bottom there are Green Up and Down Arrows.
Click a layer then use the arrows to re-order. See if that solves your issue.
If not attach your .xcf file so we can better understand your requirements.